[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 297 schools to find the best return on investment for student counseling students.
For return on investment in student counseling, no school beat California State University San Bernardino this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for student counseling. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $67,075. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $11,091. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $59,968 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $13,303. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,604. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #6 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $46,137. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $16,202. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $57,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #8 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #9 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #10 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,732. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $58,659. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University placed #11 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #13 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $13,213. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $69,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #14 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,492. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $59,543. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #15 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $57,345. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #16 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University East Bay ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,073. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $71,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Texas A And M International University landed the #18 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $54,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #19 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,759. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Florida Atlantic University placed #20 among the best values for student counseling. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $20,212. Student Counseling graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $53,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #22 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,020 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $73,361. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Portland State University came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $48,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #24 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $45,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #25 spot for student counseling value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $57,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Student Counseling Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for student counseling this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 297 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 297 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
